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Option 1: Chris DavisOption 2: A player that was part of a package dealt to another team for receiving a young pitcher.Option 3: Over pay Mark Reynolds or offer a contract with incentives that make the cost bearable.

EDIT: Wanted to add the following.

Brian Matusz isn't done as a SP. But he might look and fit a great deal better elsewhere. Have a look at the following and tell me if you think Matusz and one other player might net one of those below.

The big sticking point is who is that second player. I would rule out a second SP. Though I might dangle an L.J. Hoes or even a Jason Esposito. Why? Well this team really needs a legit 1B and there is none on the horizon just yet. We aren't going to get a solid one without giving up something significant.

Old Sneakers wrote:Option 1: Chris DavisOption 2: A player that was part of a package dealt to another team for receiving a young pitcher.Option 3: Over pay Mark Reynolds or offer a contract with incentives that make the cost bearable.

EDIT: Wanted to add the following.

Brian Matusz isn't done as a SP. But he might look and fit a great deal better elsewhere. Have a look at the following and tell me if you think Matusz and one other player might net one of those below.

The big sticking point is who is that second player. I would rule out a second SP. Though I might dangle an L.J. Hoes or even a Jason Esposito. Why? Well this team really needs a legit 1B and there is none on the horizon just yet. We aren't going to get a solid one without giving up something significant.

I can see why some would want to deal Matusz. However, I'd much rather keep him, try him as a starter, and move him back to the bullpen if he can't start.

His value is low right now and I don't think trading him at this point in time would be a smart choice.

My 1st Option would be if we deemed Youkilis healthy is to sign him. I know he slumped the last two years BUT those two years he was also moved to 3b and injuries mounted up. If healthy, having Markakis batting 1 and Youk 3 would give us two guys with an OBA of over .380...Now put a guy at .350 OBA batting second (McClouth/Reimold/Roberts??). Gives us a productive top of the order.

I would have CDavis working hard at 1b during the spring as the back up plan, maybe flopping back and forth at DH to keep both of them fresh and healthy. I dont think its proven that CD will never play above average there.

Then we keep all of our young pitching for ourselves giving us great depth or allowing Matusz,Britton,Gonzo,Arrieta, and Tilman to maximize their value which I dont think any of them have reached yet.